Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Jennings.
Hi Alexis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I appreciate this question because it gives me a moment to reflect on the journey. It is very much so a marathon rather than a sprint. I started ZenShells, LLC in 2017. In my life, I operate on a frequency of divine timing, often spur of the moment. The idea came to me during a mid-meditation session on a late summer evening, now 5 years ago. It was inspired and shaped by both my professional and personal experiences. My experiences have inspired a transformative journey of spirituality, art, dance, advocacy, women’s empowerment, wellness, and self-care. My academic experiences of obtaining my Masters’s in Public Health, and currently serving as a Ph.D. candidate, have inspired my passion for public health, health disparities among minorities, quality of life, stress reduction, chronic disease prevention, and integrative medicine. My professional experiences have inspired community engagement, entrepreneurship, clinical research coordination, and creative direction. All of these experiences manifested into a sacred need for a space that fostered the power of integrative health, wellness, spirituality, and art. Alas, ZenShells, LLC was born.
ZenShells, LLC is an integrative health, wellness, and spiritual practice, created to emphasize mind-body connection awareness about health and quality of life. “Zen” means balance in all aspects of life and health. “Shells” comes from a part of my mother’s name, as she has instilled in me the strength and courage for all I pursue today. At ZenShells, we aim to help anyone along their wellness journey through tarot readings and spiritual advising, online courses, womxn’s empowerment workshops, wellness workshops, dance classes, an annual wellness retreat, and more. I wake up with gratitude every day for my business, clients, community, and ancestors who paved the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not! Lol. But that’s what makes the journey beautiful, yes? Without struggle, we can not grow. Without failure, we can not learn. Managing full-time school as a Ph.D. student, full-time work at an academic institution, part-time work teaching dance, and maintaining a business is no joke. Balancing all these pieces while experiencing many personal hardships over the years was no easy task. Faith, consistency, and the support of my family and friends kept me going. I also know that so many others can relate to my hardships, and I benefit from knowing that we can overcome them. This alone inspired me to keep going.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an entrepreneur, I wear many hats. I am a CEO and spiritual advisor for my business at ZenShells, LLC, offering tarot readings, spiritual advising, dance classes, wellness workshops, community events, and more. By day, I work in Clinical Research at an academic institution. My role includes managing several clinical research trials, research protocol development, analysis, data collection, research manuscript development, and more. I am also a Ph.D. candidate specializing in Mind-Body Medicine, currently in the dissertation phase. I am most proud of having the privilege of fulfilling all these roles and putting my passion and soul into everything I am involved in. My creativity and ability to connect and relate to others make me stand out.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up as an only child. My mother and I used to do indoor coloring picnics. She had this fantastic playroom for me, full of any and every toy you could imagine. We would have in-door coloring picnics in this playroom, on a blanket, with all the snacks, art supplies, and coloring books. These moments were priceless. My mother fostered a sacred space of creativity, empowerment, individuality, and confidence. I thank the moons, the stars, the sun, and the entire universe for every ounce of her!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zenshells.com
- Instagram: @zenshells
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenShells
Image Credits
Photography by Studio Svntn, LLC.
